With the inclusion of Canterbury Pasifika for the first time in 2024, the best of the wider Canterbury club rugby club system will compete in a five-team tournament to contest for the converted prize, the Tane Norton trophy. The tournament includes long-standing country rivals North Canterbury and Ellesmere, Waitaha (Canterbury Māori), and the best of Metro in the Cantabrians.

The representative competition will also allow for better player comparisons for Canterbury B selection. That side will be selected at the culmination of the Tane Norton Trophy to take on Otago, Tasman, and Southland following the Tane Norton.

“The Tane Norton Trophy is more than just a tournament; it’s a platform for developing aspirational players for the professional game. It serves as a talent pool for Canterbury B team selection, with standout performers earning the opportunity to represent the region against Otago, Tasman, and Southland. Additionally, the tournament plays a crucial role in nurturing future coaches, ensuring the holistic development of the Canterbury rugby community,” said Tim Hurst, Canterbury Rugby GM of High-Performance.

The connection between Canterbury and its Sub Unions is also set to deepen. Waitaha’s match-up against Canterbury Pasifika will be played at Apollo Projects Stadium on August 10, ahead of Canterbury’s opening round of the Bunnings Warehouse NPC clash against Northland.

The annual Southbridge Shield clash between North Canterbury and Ellesmere will be held at the Rangiora Show Grounds on Sunday, September 1, ahead of Canterbury v Wellington.

“Aligning these games with our NPC draw is great,” said CRFU Game Development Manager Michael Sheat, “To highlight and connect rugby right across the board is exactly what we’re about at Canterbury Rugby. We hope it creates unforgettable experiences for our players, their families and the fans.”